Safest Way to Receive Money from a Stranger [80-90% Anon]

Last Updated on July 3, 2023

Talking about getting money from a stranger, it’s normal to be skeptical about giving out personal info, due to lots of reasons. So, it’s normal for you to seek the safest way to receive money from a stranger.

No one wants to get scammed or have their personal information leaked out to the public or worse still misused by hackers or whatnot. So, when receiving payment from a stranger, you want to be safe through and through. Long talks aside, let’s get right into the trusted methods.

Safest way to receive money from a stranger

There are several apps and several scammers too, but there are some solid apps to receive money from a stranger without dropping personal information. Well, talking about “the safest way”, nothing is 100% sure but a 99% surety works just fine. Here is the safest way to receive money from a stranger fast with more than 80% anonymity guaranteed:

1. PayPal

All PayPal transactions are protected by advanced data encryption. PayPal also offers seller protection protocols to prevent fraudulent activities and make the platform safe for sellers. This makes PayPal ranks as one of the best point of sale apps for online transactions. We have even written out detailed steps to anonymously send money using PayPal.

Pros:

• Advanced data encryption ensures transaction security.
• Seller protection protocols help prevent fraudulent activities.

Cons:

• Some fees may apply for certain transactions.
• Customer support response time can vary.

2. Zelle

With Zelle, you can be rest assured that no sensitive information is shared as only an email address or U.S. mobile number tied to a bank account in the U.S. Authentication and monitoring features are in place to help make your payments secure, but then Zelle advises you only use its platform with trusted people, which is only just right.

Meanwhile, you can even receive money from Zelle without linking your bank account.

Pros:

• No sensitive information is shared during transactions.
• Authentication and monitoring features add an extra layer of security.

Cons:

• Limited to users within the U.S.
• Lack of buyer or seller protection in case of disputes.

3. Venmo

Venmo is indeed one, really safest way to receive money from a stranger if you prioritize anonymity.

Considering that Venmo uses bank-level encryption to keep your data safe. You can add a PIN and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to make your account even more secure. A strong password combined with a PIN and MFA greatly reduces the chance of hacking. It’s also a reliable platform for your transactions. You can learn more about Venmo security explained.

Pros:

• Bank-level encryption ensures data safety.
• Additional security options like PIN and MFA are available.

Cons:

• Limited customer support options.
• Public transactions can expose some personal information.

4. Square Cash

With Square Cash, now known as Squareup, payments are encrypted to protect you from hackers. It’s all designed and maintained by Square so you don’t have to go through anybody else. Payments are secure out of the box with no lengthy setup. All card-present payments are encrypted from end to end.

Pros:

• Payments are encrypted for added security.
• User-friendly interface and straightforward setup process.

Cons:

• Limited to individuals within certain countries.
• Some features may require additional fees.

5. Cash App

You can create a unique username, called a $Cashtag, to safely receive money from a stranger without sharing personal information. It also offers additional security options like two-factor authentication. Meanwhile, should the sender confirm that they have sent the money to you but you have not received it to your balance, here is a detailed explanation of the possible reason(s).

Pros:

• Unique $Cashtag ensures privacy.
• Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security.

Cons:

• Limited customer support options.
• Some users have reported occasional technical issues.

6. Cryptocurrencies

Crypto is traditionally considered a safe way to receive money from a stranger. It helps you stay anonymous, which is great if you don’t want anyone snooping around. However, the popular ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin can cost you a pretty penny.

You have to buy them on crypto exchanges, and those places usually want your personal details.

Crypto requires an internet connection and a special app called a crypto wallet to work its magic. So if you’re out in the middle of nowhere without Wi-Fi or a good signal, crypto won’t be able to save the day. It’s a bit limited when it comes to offline payments.

Pros:

• High level of anonymity.
• No personal details are required for transactions.

Cons:

• Transactions are irreversible.
• Learning curve and potential price volatility.

7. Skrill

Skrill is another online payment platform that allows anonymous payment reception. You can create a virtual account known as a Skrill ID to receive money without revealing personal information. Skrill also has fraud prevention systems in place and they offer tips to help you stay protected while transacting on the platform.

Pros:

• Anonymous payment reception with a Skrill ID.
• Fraud prevention measures enhance security.

Cons:

• Fees may apply for certain transactions.
• Limited availability in some countries.

8. Google Pay

Google Pay offers secure payment reception. It uses features like biometric authentication and encryption. Although you need to link your account to personal information, Google Pay doesn’t share the payer’s details with you.

You can even transfer your Google Pay balance to PayPal if you don’t have a bank account.

Pros:

• Biometric authentication and encryption enhance security.
• Convenient and widely used platform.

Cons:

• Personal information needs to be linked to the account.
• Limited availability in some countries.

9. Use a Point-of-Sale App

A point of sale (POS) is a place where a customer executes the payment for goods or services and where sales taxes may become payable.

A point of sale is a safe option because point of sale apps like PayPal, Sumup, and the rest act as a middleman between you and the stranger.

Pros:

• Transactions are facilitated through a trusted middleman.
• Simplifies the payment process and reduces risks.

Cons:

• Some POS apps may charge transaction fees.
• Limited to individuals with compatible devices and accounts.

10. Virtual credit cards

Virtual credit cards offer an advantage over prepaid cards by allowing transactions with your real credit account while keeping your actual credit card number hidden. This enables anonymous account operations and protects your real account from data breaches.

However, refund processes for services can be challenging. On the other hand, disposable cards, which use virtual credit card numbers, can only be used online or for contactless payments, making them ideal for temporary and anonymous transactions.

Pros:

• If there’s a data breach or security compromise, virtual credit cards can safeguard your real credit account. 
• Enhanced privacy.

Cons:

• Getting refunds for services or resolving disputes may be more challenging with virtual credit cards.

If you need to make in-person transactions or use physical payment terminals, virtual cards may not be a suitable option as they lack the physical presence required for such transactions.

11. Use a reputable VPN

There’s nothing wrong with adding an extra layer of anonymity to your online payment. And what’s a better way to achieve this than using a reputable VPN? You could use any of the freely available reputable online VPNs to achieve anonymity.

While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the safest ways to get money from a stranger, these are the top and most reliable ways.

Pros:

• Enhances anonymity and protects your online activities.
• Offers an additional safeguard against potential threats.

Cons:

• Some free VPNs may have limitations in terms of speed or data usage.
• Choosing a reliable and trustworthy VPN provider is crucial.

12. Prepaid gift cards

Apart from gift cards being able to buy at gas stations or stores, they can also be the safest way to receive money from a stranger. Moreover, they don’t have any of your personal information or payment details on them. Just inform the stranger to send you a gift card, preferably a prepaid gift card that you can use both online and offline.

Pros:

• Prepaid gift cards provide a way to make anonymous payments, as they don’t contain any personal information or payment credentials. 
• Prepaid gift cards are widely available in gas stations and retail stores, making them easily accessible. 

Cons: 

• Not all services or businesses accept prepaid gift cards as a payment method.
• When signing up for a service that accepts prepaid gift cards, there may be some identity verification or registration process involved.

13. Paysafecard

This is a cool app that lets you make anonymous online payments. You can find special vouchers at certain stores, buy them with cash, and use your PIN to pay for stuff online without revealing who you are. They’re pretty popular worldwide, but easier to find in Europe than in North America.

If you need to buy big things or subscribe to services, you can even combine up to ten PINs.

Paysafecard works with a mix of online and offline stuff, so you gotta have an internet connection to use it. To see if it’s available where you live, just check out the mobile app and look for local stores that sell it.

Pros

• Easy to receive money 100% anonymously

Cons

• Can be difficult to find in some countries (particularly the US and Canada)

14. Cash

Cash is the traditional form of anonymous payment. The sender can arrange to send cash through a secure mail courier or services like Western Union. There are some downsides to cash too. It can get mishandled or lost in the mail, which isn’t great. But overall, cash is still a reliable and anonymous way to receive payments from a stranger.

Pros

• Easily available and can be 100% anonymous to use

Cons

• Limited availability as a payment method online

How to identify a safe place to receive money from a stranger

While choosing the right platform to receive money, you don’t want to be left “high and dry” because of some little mistakes like not looking out for some factors to help you make the right decisions. Here are some tips to help you make the right decisions with these platforms.

1. Anonymity

Go anonymous, you want to ensure you’re not putting out too much personal information but getting your cash at the same time. When it comes to choosing a platform to receive money from a stranger, you would be more interested in a platform where you don’t need to share your personal information like name, date of birth, and other information with the stranger before you receive money.

That’s why you should go for a platform where you can simply share an email address or just some simple tags and you’re done.

2. Security measures

You want to ensure the platform you want to use has standard, top-notch security measures, such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure servers, to protect its users’ personal and financial information.

3. Protection for buyers and sellers

Another thing you want to check is, “Am I protected?”. A safe platform should have a buyer/seller protection policy that pays out if there is a fraud, an unauthorized transaction, or a dispute.

4. Reputation

Generally, a platform you will be dealing with should have a good reputation, a good example is PayPal. You can look at reviews and ratings of the platform to find out what people think of it and how reliable it is.

5. Regulation

Financial authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) usually monitor safe platforms to ensure they follow the law and give users enough protection. You need to check if they are under the surveillance of these regulations.

6. User Feedback

Reading reviews and comments from other users can give you essential information about a platform’s safety and reliability.

Good, extensive feedback goes a long way in helping you make better decisions concerning the app.

7. User-friendly features

A safe platform should have user-friendly features like easy account setup, simple transactions, and easy-to-understand interfaces.

8. Customer service

A platform with good customer service can help solve any problems that might come up during a transaction with immediate effect.

You don’t want to be stranded while going through with your transactions. Also, this makes it a safer way to get money from strangers online.

Is it safe to receive a bank transfer with a stranger?

Most bank transfer fraud is done through mistaken identity – rather than a fault in the system. So before going through with a transfer, you need to trust that the recipient is credible right before the transfer is undertaken.

Conclusion—Safest way to receive money from a stranger

While receiving money from a stranger can sometimes be scary, you don’t have to fear a thing with the guidelines listed above and the safety measures included to keep you, your personal information, and your money safe.